It’s early days for the fixed wireless access market, but Verizon revealed products and partnerships that it hopes will help it penetrate the market for connecting America’s homes, in a keynote at the Mobile World Congress in Las Vegas this week. Spanning internet hardware, gaming, entertainment and sports, the products may help Verizon’s 5G FWA service compete with the entrenched cable providers, according to Krista Bourne, chief operating officer, Verizon Consumer Group, and Erin McPherson, chief content officer, Verizon.
“Powerful home internet combined with enriching, inspiring content subscriptions will change how we live, work and play,” Bourne said. “We know that devices are only as strong as the networks they’re on. Verizon has the most — and the greatest depth of — coverage, providing the best speeds coast to coast.”
Verizon said its FWA service will use mmWave, C-band and 4G LTE with the ability to intelligently and seamlessly move between them. The new Verizon receiver will use the latest Qualcomm® 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform Gen 2, which will provide a 100 percent increase in upload speeds.
Additionally, the Verizon router, based on Tri-Band WiFi 6E Qualcomm® Networking Pro Series Platforms was unveiled in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies. The “world’s first 5G” Gaming Handheld built on the Snapdragon® G3X Gen 1 Gaming Platform will give gamers access to high-performance gaming, according to Verizon. Verizon will offer a one-stop-shop for purchasing subscription services across entertainment, gaming, music, and wellness, including an NFL subscription service.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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